Annual MLK, Food Drive and Potluck Celebration

The Annual MLK Jr. Holiday Potluck Party and Canned Food Drive, scheduled for Saturday, January 14th at 7:00 pm, has become one of the primary fixtures of the New Democrats for Plainfield's community service initiatives; it is also a "must attend" event for Plainfielders interested in helping those who are unable to help themselves. Each year, the New Democrats Community Service Team selects a local Plainfield food bank to donate non-perishable foods to. This year’s donations will be given to the Shiloh Baptist Church Food Pantry on West 4th Street.  This annual coming together of friends and caring individuals will be hosted again this year by my wife, Amelia, and me, at our home, located at 535 West 8th Street. 

It is with a sense of community that Amelia and I gladly open our home so that the entire Plainfield community can come together as one, to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

In addition to a delicious variety of potluck food dishes, we will once again have wonderful live jazz guitar music during the evening, provided by Plainfield's own Joe Bonini. We will also have an informal kick-off of Obama '12, so feel free to wear your Obama gear!

Those who are able to donate are asked to drop off canned goods and other non-perishable food items on our front porch, any day of the week, beginning today, and continuing every day up to Saturday, January 14th. Those of you attending the party can bring your donations with you. 

Amelia and I look forward to welcoming you to our home and enjoying a pleasant evening.

Warm regards,

Adrian

Please note: A snow storm cancels the event, but food items may still be dropped off!

Council President's Remarks: An Agenda for 2012

First, let me begin by thanking my colleagues for the trust and confidence they have placed in me by choosing to elect me as their leader for the 2012 council year. Also, let me extend to all of you here, and to all of the residents of Plainfield, a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

We want, very much, to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Mayor and her administration to improve the quality of life for all citizen, through enhancements to our public safety across all neighborhoods, proper enforcement of our property maintenance codes, and major improvements to our decaying network of roads.

We also intend to pursue greater partnerships with our other governmental entities such as the BOE, the PHA and the PMUA by way of meaningful shared services agreements. We are asking the Mayor to work with the Council to create shared service arrangements that will advance the goals of City Hall, the Board of Education and other governmental entities.

The Council stands with you to make this happen. To that end we propose the establishment of a Shared Services Committee with representation from the council, the administration, Board of Education, the PMUA, the Plainfield Housing Authority and the Plainfield Public Library. The purpose of this committee would be to identify opportunities for shared services and to make recommendations on how to best leverage resources to reduce cost and improve services.

Also, I have asked the Clerk’s office to reach out to the BOE to arrange a joint meeting between the BOE and the governing body, the agenda will be determined jointly by the two bodies.

Our Senior Citizens have been on the frontline of every battle of every kind that has been fought on every front; they have paid their dues. Colleagues, I ask you to join me in the creation of the Council’s Senior of the Year Recognition Award, an award that will go to one of our seniors for his or her service and dedication to our city and our nation.

Council members: we have an opportunity to appoint a commissioner to the Plainfield Housing Authority this year. Let’s make sure this person brings something positive to the table and is supportive of the redevelopment of Elmwood Gardens; a person that understands the role of a commissioner and who does not seek to cross the boundary that should exist between the commission and employees.

Let's work closely with the Union County One Stop Career Center; let’s create a jobs friendly ordinance aimed at creating employment opportunities for Plainfielders. Every redevelopment project and project funded with government money should go to the One Stop Career Center located in the Park Madison Complex to find Plainfielders who need jobs. Development has begun in our downtown; therefore, the time is right for us to pass an ordinance, in 2012, that makes job creation a reality.

Council members: let's press the Mayor and her administration to take more aggressive actions on bars that serve liquor to patrons that break the law and disturb the peace. We serve as the Alcoholic Beverage Control board and we must insist that police and code enforcement do whatever is necessary to clean up these establishments or put them out of business. We cannot afford to continually send our police officers to break up bar fights; they have more important work to do protecting our residents and making our neighborhoods safe places to live and work.

There have been many discussions during the past year about ownership of the 4.7 miles of highway known as Rt 28 that runs through our city. An agreement that dates back to 1927 placed responsibility for the upkeep of Rt 28 on the backs of Plainfield’s tax payers; it is an agreement that is now beyond our ability to bear. Hence, one of our goals for 2012 is to work with our 22nd district representatives to have legislation introduced that would seek to return Rt 28 to its rightful owner, the State of NJ.

As elected officials, we must be willing to be a part of the shared sacrifices that we are asking of our citizens and tax payers. To this end, the 2012 council will introduce legislation to end health benefits for all elected officials. Additionally, I will propose a Lame Duck Ordinance that will preclude lame duck legislators from attending seminars and conferences at the city's expense.

During the first one hundred days of this year we intend to adopt a capital ordinance that will result in the rebuilding of several of our roads; we will also encourage the administration to use our in-house equipment to preserve the life of our roads through the use of tarring and sealing techniques, and we will provide the financial resources to do so.

Transparency is something that we strongly believe in, that is why our council meetings can be seen on television. We want to expand this service by taping the meetings of the PMUA for broadcast on our cable channels. Additionally, we will work on creating a program that will give each member of the council an opportunity to address the community via 30-minute recorded interviews.

Let me say this: there is no partnership with the Council more important than the one between Mayor and Council. In 2011 the Council saw fit to increase its oversight on the Mayor and her administration. Whether this continues, increases or decreases depends on the level of transparency, mutual trust and respect. Let's all be honest, there is a huge need for improvement, and there are no easy fixes. I call for an improvement process that will lead to a revised schedule for the timely submission of resolutions for the council’s agenda and for an agreement which will result in directors and senior managers meeting with the various council committees. Today I am extending an invitation to the Mayor to meet with the Finance and Administration Committee to work out an agreement.

The people of Plainfield deserve a 2012 that is better than 2011. Therefore, let’s get to work forging meaningful partnerships, improving on our constituent services, delivering on our promises and delivering results. Again, happy New Year, and may God bless each and every one of you.

Regards,

Adrian

Thanks to my Colleagues for Their Vote of Confidence

Earlier this evening I was elected president of the Plainfield City Council; my name was moved in nomination by Councilor William Reid and seconded by Councilor Rebecca Williams. I received the unanimous support of my colleagues. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of them for the trust and confidence they have placed in me in choosing me as their leader for the 2012 council year. I last led the council in 2004; I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role again. With the ongoing support of my colleagues I intend to shepherd some much needed reform, during this legislative session, building on the reform agenda led by former council president Annie Mcwilliams, over the past two years.


Much work lies ahead for us in the coming months; I intend to lead a united council in accomplishing the goals that were outlined during last evening’s re-organization meeting. We must work together in order to harness the untapped synergies of the seven for the common good of, one, Plainfield. I encourage each one of us to get out into the community and make service to our constituents more than just a mantra; let it be our reality as elected officials.

Again, thanks to my colleagues for their vote of confidence.

Warm regards,

Adrian

Netherwood Station Will Remain Open!

I got word a little while ago that the “discontinuance study” for Netherwood Station which was scheduled for today was cancelled. According to Allen Tanko, The U.S.P.S. District Discontinuance Coordinator, the Postal Service will be keeping Netherwood Station open. The notice I received simply read, “The USPS has decided to stop the study at this point and keep the Netherwood Station open.” No reason was given, and the vagueness of the phrase “at this point” means that another, future conversation may take place. For now, though, it looks like Plainfielders will still be able to use the Netherwood Station.

Regards,

Adrian

Service is Not What We Get, It's What We Give!

Dinner is served!

This past Sunday, the members of the New Democrats for Plainfield had dinner with the men, women, and children who reside at the Plainfield YMCA. This was done as one of our community outreach projects and in fulfillment of our mission to serve our community, including those less fortunate than ourselves. It is at this time of the year, in the spirit of the holiday season that we must give to those who need some assistance. Several members of our club did precisely that on Sunday, not just dropping off the meals, but serving and eating with our YMCA friends in need. It was a wonderful way to help lift the spirits of all present and share in a delicious homemade meal—smoked string beans, ham, baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, collard greens, barbecue chicken, peas and rice, baked ziti, corn bread, salad, and a variety of sumptuous desserts—all prepared by New Dems club members.

Dee and Niajah, with homemade gift bags for everyone!

Little 8 year-old Niajah Lawton, niece of Dee Dameron, added a special touch to our evening spent with the families by preparing (with a little help from Dee and her sister) 100 gift bags for the residents—these were Niajah’s gifts to them. It was a great lesson for an 8 year-old to learn and to teach. At a time when most children are looking for presents from Santa, Niajah was giving all that she could. As the Bible says, it’s more blessed to give than to receive.

We hope that the families with whom we had dinner on Sunday enjoyed the meal as much as we enjoyed serving it. Our only regret is that we couldn’t feed more people and that so many people still go hungry in this, the land of plenty. We will make sure that we do our part again with our next food drive in January.

Delicious food being served by club members.

I wish to thank all of the members of the New Democrats and their families who chose to spend their Sunday evening with the over 50 families at the YMCA. I thank them for caring and sharing. Service is not what we get, it is what we give. 

Regards,

Adrian

In the Spirit of the Holiday Season!

The holiday time of year is one that we all look forward to; it’s a time to share with family and friends in the spirit of the season. It is also a time to remember the least among us and to do all that we can to make their holidays as pleasant as can be, given the current harsh economic realities. Joblessness, homelessness, and for some, hopelessness, are ingredients that could result in unexpected and out-of-character behavior.

As our brother’s/sister’s keepers, we must do all that we can to minimize the burdens, frustrations, depression, anxiety, and loneliness that so many may feel at this time of the year. To this end, if you can place joy into the heart of another person, do it; if you can lift the spirits of a neighbor who maybe in the doldrums, lift them; if you can shine light unto a path that will cause those who may feel lost to find their way, then let your light shine brightly; if you can provide warmth to a family that may be without heat this winter season, do so; if you can give from the many blessings that have been bestowed upon you, be a generous giver, and if you can ease the pangs of the hungry with a meal, be a provider; but in everything that you do, let it be from the heart.

Also, you must take care of yourself during this season, as there are those who do not have the community’s best interest at heart. As you go about your business, always be aware of your surroundings and take extra precautions when traveling alone to and from your vehicle with the many bags that some of you will be carrying. Also, be very careful as you travel the highways and through our city and be mindful of the speed limits. Be the eyes and ears of your neighbor and be on the lookout for anyone who might try to separate you and your neighbor from some of the things you own. Do not hesitate to report suspicious behavior, individuals and activity to our local Police Department.

Finally, have a good time; have fun this holiday season and do a good deed for someone—anyone, in the spirit of the season. God bless you and your family.

Regards,

Adrian and Amelia

Report from the New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention: Day 3 – November 17, 2011

One of the interesting seminars I attended at this year’s convention dealt with PILOTs (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes). State Comptroller Matthew Boxer suggested very strongly that a municipality should conduct a very robust and comprehensive cost/benefit analysis up front before entering into a PILOT agreement with a developer. 

Three very important questions should be addressed during the analysis: 

1) is the PILOT necessary to attract development or would development still occur without it? 

2) Is the type of development being proposed really needed? 

3) Is it likely to achieve its intended economic goal?

Municipalities should guard against developers who may over-promise in order to make a project appear to be more attractive than it really is. If a PILOT is granted, the developer should be monitored and held accountable for the promised deliverables.

Another seminar I attended dealt with how to prevent sexual harassment and other hostile behaviors in the work place; it was presented by Esther H. Nevarez, Community Relations Coordinator in the Office of the Director for the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety. This was by far the most interesting of the eleven seminars I attended. The many definitions of sexual harassment were touched upon, along with the consequences and the remedies. We were reminded that women can sexually harass men; men can sexually harass women; men can sexually harass other men and women can sexually harass other women. Always keep in mind that being sexually harassed by a man or a woman is against the law.

The Department of Law & Public Safety, through the Division on Civil Rights, is responsible for enforcing the Law Against Discrimination (LAD). Anyone who believes that s/he has been a victim of unlawful discrimination should get in touch with the Division on Civil Rights at the office closest to where s/he lives or where the discrimination occurred.

Remember that it is against the law for anyone to retaliate against you because you choose to exercise your rights under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. I hope that this and other information brought to you over the past three days from the 2011 New Jersey League of Municipalities Convention has been helpful in some way.

Regards,

Adrian